The Michelangelo Gallery

Welcome to the Michelangelo Gallery a web resource devoted to providing information on the life and work of Michelangelo Buonarroti. Michelangelo Buonarroti was an Italian artist famous for his sculptures,

paintings, poems, and even his architecture. He was influential in the Mannerism movement and is one of the most famous artists of the High Renaissance. His talent was discovered at a young age when he was brought into Lorenzo de’Medici’s school of art and the Medici home. Here he was raised amongst the most talented artists of that time as well as revolutionary intellectual theorists. He grew to become one of the greatest artists of all time and still today his name is recognized throughout the world as a creator of masterpieces.

Michelangelo’s influence in various forms of western art is tremendous. Michelangelo created incredible paintings, one of the most famous being the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and one of the most controversial being The Last Judgment.

In his later life, Michelangelo became more involved with poetry and architecture helping to design the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Today many of the sites which Michelangelo designed or where he painted frescoes are still in existence and are open for tours including St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and The Sistine Chapel.

Above all, Michelangelo viewed himself as a sculptor creating the famous statue of David poised before the confrontation with the giant, Goliath. From his earliest sculptures to his last works at the age of 88 in 1564, there was not an Italian sculptor of the 16th century, or perhaps since, who was not influenced by the works of Michelangelo. Working in Florence and Rome, he was a contemporary of other famous artists such as Raphael and Leonardo de Vinci.

Because of his immense talent and the fantastic works that he created, he enjoyed much popularity during his life, working for the powerful Medici family as well as popes. He was so well known and respected that he was the subject of two biographies during his lifetime. Today there are hundreds of biographies written about the artist as well as cultural references in film, television, and literature to Michelangelo.

Here you can discover why he is an artist that is unmatched in his masterpieces. Read a short version of his biography or read a more full version of Michelangelo's life in three parts, The Early Years, The Middle Years, and The Later Years. This site also gives descriptions of the important people in Michelangelo’s life in order to provide additional background information on the artist’s life. To further define Michelangelo’s life and times, check out the FAQ section and find out more about topics surrounding Michelangelo and the Renaissance. Also learn about some of his significant works of art including The Creation of Adam, David, Pieta, Moses and other Michelangelo paintings, drawings and sculptures. Also, from our Michelangelo drawings, paintings, and sculptures lists, you can view images of his famous works, find out when they were created and where these pieces are currently located.